Sara Jane Hoffman

Sara Jane Hoffman

Sara Jane Hoffman entered this world on April 12, 1927, in Helena, MT, the youngest of eight children, born to Robert B. Forgy and Grace Cocking Forgy. She passed away peacefully at 97 years of age in her beloved Ruby Valley at the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center in Sheridan, MT.

Sara grew up on a ranch in the Helena Valley and loved ranch life. She graduated high school in Helena as class Treasurer. She went on to attend college at MSU in Bozeman where she was accepted as a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. It was at MSU that she met her soul mate, Robert 'Bob' Hoffman who had returned from Army duty during WW II. They were married Dec. 27, 1947, and embarked on their life's adventure.

The young Hoffmans spent a short time in Billings, MT, but ranch life beckoned. Their first experience as ranchers took place on the "Whitetail" six miles north of Whitehall, MT, where they ran a cattle and sheep operation. In 1959 and five children later, they were thrilled to find a small ranch in the picturesque Ruby Valley, so they packed up their crew and made the transition. They spent the next 20 years expanding the ranch and raising their family in Sheridan, MT. During that time, they welcomed a 6th child naming her Judy Kay.

Sara loved horses and rode with the "Saddle Tramps," a women's' riding club that performed a complicated routine every year at the Madison County Fair in Twin Bridges, MT. She was an expert at finding the hiding places of wild asparagus in the spring, and loved hunting fresh mushrooms following a summer rain. A family dinner at the Hoffman house was a special event. Sara set a formal table with family linen and silver, her beloved Desert Rose dishes and a creative centerpiece. And she could cook! Sara knew how to make the flakiest pie crust from simple ingredients and her apple pie was unparalleled.

An accomplished Bridge player, she often came home after a game exclaiming that she was "high" again! As the Hoffman family grew up and moved on with their lives, Bob & Sara sold the ranch and built their retirement home in a spectacular spot in the heart of the Ruby Valley just south of Sheridan. Bob pursued public office and was elected as Madison County Assessor where he served for 15 years. Later he was elected as State Representative. Sara enjoyed meeting new friends during her husband's time at the state capitol in her hometown of Helena.

During their retirement Bob and Sara spent their winters in Mesa, AZ and traveled outside the country on various excursions. They spent their final years at their much-loved home in the Ruby Valley. Sara lost her life partner in October of 2015 following a short battle with cancer.

Sara was dedicated to her family, friends and faith. Her hospitality, kindness and gentle wisdom will be missed.

Sara is survived by three children, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Surviving children are Connie Hoffman Jones (Paul-D), Leslie Ann Morningstar (John-D) and Mark David Hoffman (Jeri). Sons Robert Blaine Hoffman, William Allen Hoffman and daughter Judy Kay Hoffman are deceased.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center.

There will be a family service at a later date. Memorials may be made to donor's choice.

K&L Funeral Home is entrusted with Sara's funeral arrangements.